Fabulous Food Friday #118

This is one of those recipes that draws a very fine line between an actual dessert or something you wouldn't feel too guilty eating at breakfast. Either way, these instantly became a favorite around here!

Original recipe found at Smitten Kitchen.

Blueberry Bars
Makes 20 Bars
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Crust and Crumb Topping
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 cups rolled oats
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, cut into 1-inch pieces

Blueberry Filling
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 TBSP grated lemon zest (about 1 large lemon)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 TBSP all-purpose flour
1 pound blueberries, fresh or frozen
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled

For the crust:
Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9x13 pan. Put the flour, brown sugar, oats, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon in a food processor. Pulse in short bursts until combined. Add the butter and pulse until loose crumbs form.

Reserve 1 1/2 cup of the mixture and set aside. Pour the rest of the mixture into the prepared pan push the crust into an even layer at the bottom of the pan. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 17 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let the crust cool. Keep the oven on while you make the blueberry filling.

For the filling:
In the same food processor pulse together sugar, lemon zest, cinnamon and flour together. Add the blueberries, lemon juice and butter and pulse 3-4 times mixture is gently combined.

Finish bars by spreading the blueberry filling evenly on top of the cooled crust. Sprinkle the reserved crust mixture evenly on top of the filling.

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, rotating the pan half way through cooking time, until the top is golden brown and the filling starts to bubble around the edges.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, then cut into squares and serve. The bars can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to two days.

My Brave Little Boy

Today we spent the morning at the dentist. It was Liam's first time in the dentist's chair because he has cavities. Yes, he's five and has cavities. I almost awarded myself the worst mom of the year trophy, but I'm trying to eliminate the self inflicted guilt in my life!


I cannot express to you how proud I was of him. We were there for quite a while and he only whimpered a little towards the end of the fillings. I asked him later if it hurt and he just replied,"No. I was just scared." Unfortunately we have to go back next week to finish up everything. And, let's not mention that he has to get shots the week after that because it's time...time for Kindergarten registration. YIKES! Where did the last 5 years go?

Modern Conveniences

Costco can be a dangerous place.
You all know what I mean.
You go in for a few things and next thing you know, you've spent hundreds of dollars on large bags of dried blueberries, cases of fruit drinks and maybe a tub of cream puffs.

I, ladies and gentlemen, went and spent under $35.00 and that included my splurge of a frozen swirl yogurt!
High fives all around please!

My usual laundry detergent was top on my list, but when I saw this jumbo gem...I only hesitated a second before I put in my cart.

Has anyone tried them yet?
I am excited to use them.
Did I just admit that I might be excited to do laundry?
Oh, yes I did!

The Exits Are Here, Here and Here

It pays to have great friends.
It also pays to have great friends who happen to be flight attendants!
I happen to be lucky enough to have two!

Last week I had posted to all my Canadian friends on FB that I was on the look out for Kinder Eggs. I was slightly obsessed with them while serving my mission there years ago. They are a chocolate egg with a toy inside. They are banned in the US (choking hazard I guess) and I had the thought that I wanted to put them in the boys Easter Basket this year. My friend, Colette, saw my plea so when she was living the glorious life if an international flight attendant last week, she picked me (the boys) up some!


Like I said, I wanted them for Easter Baskets, but Liam found the bag and he's old enough that I couldn't pull off any sort of Easter Bunny shenanigans after that. He has gotten some cool Smurf toys, a mini kite and an airplane.

She also didn't forget about me and remembered my obsession with anything black currant...which you also can't find in the US.


I first discovered the flavor when I was in England with my other flight attendant who happens to be my bestie, Rachel! This lip balm smells so yummy and feels great!
Thanks again, Colette!

Fabulous Food Friday #117

When we moved back to Texas we discovered a pretty "wild" buffalo wing joint. Ian and I thoroughly enjoy their garlic and parmesan boneless wings. It is the perfect amount of flavor with a hint of spice. Now and then I also like to indulge in their mild wings while Ian goes full blazing hot!

Well, you know me...I like to try to recreate restaurant dishes at home. After some research online and ordering some test tasting wings, I came up with my own version that Ian claims is actually better than the real thing!

Garlic Parmesan Boneless Chicken Wings
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*1 bag frozen jumbo popcorn chicken

Sauce
4 large cloves of garlic, minced
2 tsp olive oil
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup mayo
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp parsley flakes
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/8-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (depending on how hot you you want it)

In a small pan, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Saute minced garlic in olive oil for 30 seconds, stirring constantly so not to brown or burn. Pour garlic and all of olive oil into a small bowl. Cool while getting out remaining sauce ingredient. Mix together all sauce ingredients, cover and chill for one hour up to 24 hours.

Bake popcorn chicken according to package directions. Once cooked transfer directly to a large bowl. Toss with sauce and serve. Use as much or as little sauce as you want.

*If you can't find jumbo popcorn chicken, feel free to use regular popcorn chicken or even southern fried chicken strips.